Apparatus for moving loose material



1962 F. P. ROBBINS 3,061,122

APPARATUS FOR MOVING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 23, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

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ATT'YS Oct. 30, 1962 F. P. ROBBINS APPARATUS FOR MOVING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 23, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Lap PM T FIGB 52 F|6.7 \f" if .3 5;

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2 24 g a o 28 32 FIG.3 5. 341 I 23 INVENTOR: FREDERICK I? ROBBINS BY A Oct. 30, 1962 F. P. ROBBINS 3,061,122

APPARATUS FOR MOVING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 23, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet s INV ENT OR:

FREDERICK P. ROBBINS w a I m. O I 5 Y// PH 9 7/4 I I 3 I I III I 9 I t L 4 1 6 I- Q 1 11 9 II. F 4 m 4 6 1 I w 4 4 WI. 5 1 m m m m w w m F F .w HA ,5 m 6 l 7 4 B I 2 4 5 42 9 I o H I 4 VI. 0 I. 5 m 1 w a o 4 m 4 United States Patent 3,061,122 APPARATUS FOR MOVING LOOSE MATERIAL Frederick P. Robbins, Highland Park, Ill. (224 S. Michigan Blvd., Chicago 4, Ill.) Filed Oct. 23, 1957, Ser. No. 691,951 15 Claims. (Cl. 214-132) The present invention relates in general to apparatus for moving loose material, such as rock, earth and like muck of the sort produced by blasting or otherwise at the bottom of shafts during the shaft sinking operations, or at other operational locations in mines or other places where loose material is required to be moved, the appar-atus being also adapted for moving material such as bulk cargo in ships and other material transporting and storage structures.

The invention has more particular reference to apparatus adapted for easy placement in the removal from its operating situs, and for efiicient operation in confined spaces of limited size, the invention pertaining specifically to a support structure for material moving devices embodying a mast adapted for detachable connection on any convenient support, such as the side wall of a mine shaft, with the lower end of the mast resting, in floating fashion, on the material to be moved, such as muck to be excavated from the bottom of a shaft, said mast serving as a support for material moving or working apparatus.

Material moving apparatus of the sort heretofore provided for the excavation of loose rock, earth, and like muck, from shaft bottoms, requires considerable time and labor for installation in operating position in the shaft. Moreover, it is necessary frequently to remove and reinstall such equipment from time to time during the sinking of the shaft. As a consequence, use of prior mucking machines has involved much costly removal and replacement time and labor.

An important object of the present invention is to provide material moving apparatus which may be disposed quickly in operating position and as rapidly removed; a further object being to provide apparatus not only well suited for use as a mucking machine for the excavation of loose rock and earth at the bottom of mine and other shafts during the sinking thereof, but equally well suited for moving loose material, such as bulk cargo in the holds of ships and other storage structures.

Another important object is to provide material moving apparatus which may be disposed in compactly folded condition to facilitate placement thereof in and removal" of the apparatus from operating position, as in a shaft, ships hold, or other confined space in which it may be desired to operate the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide ap-' paratus of the character mentioned embodying an upright mast adapted to be hung on a crane or other hoisting equipment for placement in any desired location in a shaft, ships hold, or other operating site; the mast serving as a carrying support for a material moving device, such as a scoop, claim shell grab, or other material handing or working tool; a still further object being to provide quickly and easily applied means for detachably securing the mast in operative position, as by attaching the same to the wall of a shaft or other structure in which the apparatus may be mounted for operation.

Another important object of the invention is to provide apparatus particularly well suited for sinking shafts, as in mining operations, as by removing muck comprising loose rocks and earthy material from the bottom of the shaft, said apparatus embodying an elongated tubular mast adapted to be securedin slidable fashion on a side wall of the shaft .so that the lower end of the mast may be supported in floating fashion upon the loose material to be excavated, and thereby move downwardly in the shaft during and as the result of muck removal through operation of a material moving device or devices supported on the mast.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a mucking machine including an elongated tubular mast adapted to be supported in upright position as in a shaft and a plurality of collars spaced along and slidably receiving the mast, which collars are anchored on a side wall of the shaft, or other structure in which the device is mounted and the mast is adapted to support at its lower end an excavating machine.

Another important object of the invention resides in providing a device of the character mentioned embodying a mast, a material working device carried by the mast, and power supply means mounted on the mast for driving said device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for securing structures to walls in such situations where anchoring bolts are mounted in spaced relation in the wall and a mounting plate is secured on the bolts, wherein the plate may be adjustably mounted on the wall regardless of the relative position of the anchoring bolts,

within a wide range.

plurality of slots adapted to receive bolts which are anchored inthe wall, the arrangement of the slots being such that the accuracy of the bolt placement in the wall is not critical on the. particular desired placement of the plate on the wall. 7

Still another object of this invention is to provide a mounting plate adapted to be secured to a wall or support. by a pair of bolts, wherein the mounting plate provides at least two slots arranged at an appreciable angle of relative inclination, which slots receive the bolts and permit adjustable positioning of the plate on the wall.

The foregoing and numerous other important objects, advantages, and inherent functions of the invention will; become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying. drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to thedrawings: FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing apparatus embodying the present invention as applied for the removal of muck from the bottom of a shaft;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; I

' FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially along line 33 in FIG. 2;

. FIG. 4 is a side view of means for anchoring the mast apparatus illustrated in FIG. 7.

To illustrate the invention, the drawings show material moving apparatus 10 embodying the present invention, as arranged in a generallyvertical shaft 11. The apparatus 10 includes an elongated tubular mast. 13 disposed.

- adjacent a side wall 12 of the shaft and secured thereto.

by a plurality of anchoring devices 14 which" permit the mast to move vertically along the shaft side wall. An excavating device 15 is mounted on the mast adjacent its lower end, although it will be appreciated that any desired sort of material moving or working device may be supported upon the mast, including drill jumbos or drill supporting and positioning mechanisms, clam shell grabs, scoops and the like, the mast being capable of performing many useful functions, other than muck excavation, during shaft sinking operations. Further, it may be appreciated that excavating devices other than the sort herein disclosed may be mounted on the vertical mast of the present invention.

The bottom of the mast 13 is somewhat rounded, although it may take other shapes, and it seeks its own shaft bottom level because of the slidable relationship between the mast and the anchoring devices 14, thereby automatically lowering the excavating device 15 as the muck in the bottom of the shaft is removed therefrom. The excavating device loads the muck into a sink bucket 16 which may be elevated and hoisted out of the shaft to be subsequently dumped into a vehicle for hauling away or be dumped on a pile outside of the shaft.

During blasting of rocks in the bottom of the shaft and other shaft sinking operations not requiring the use of the vertical mast 13 and the excavating device 15, it may be necessary to remove the mast and excavating device partially or completely from the shaft, and for this purpose a mast cap 17 having a clevis 18 mounted thereon is carried at the upper end of the mast 13. The clevis 18 is engaged by the lifting hook 19 on the end of a lifting chain 20 or the like which is associated with a hoist or crane. Thus, a crane attached to the upper end of the mast may remove the mast and excavating mechanism from the shaft or suspend it in an elevated work position. A vertical bearing 21 at the bottom of the mast 13 serves to support the mast and excavating device on the broken muck pile at the bottom of the shaft.

In order to operate the excavating device 15 or whatever other type of tool may be supported on the mast 13, a housing 22 for supporting and enclosing a suitable powering mechanism may be mounted on the lower end of the mast; and the excavating device 15 or other material working tool may be mounted on the housing. The powering mechanism may include a pneumatically actuated motor PM, a shown in FIG. 7, or an electric motor EM, as shown in FIG. 8, connected to drive a fluid pressure generating pump P, a pressure tank T connected with the pump, and suitable check and control valves V. Additional electrical equipment may include flood lights and an intercom system. Thus, whether air or electricity is employed to drive the hydraulic pump in the power mechanisms unit, it will be appreciated that the purpose will be to generate hydraulic power for operating the excavating device 15 or other material working tool mounted on the powering mechanism unit. The power mechanism housing, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may be mounted on the mast 13 by split collars 23 so that removal of pins 24 will enable the unit to be dismounted from the mast. The unit 22 may carry a seat 25 for the seating support of an operator in position to manipulate control levers 26 which operate the valves V within the unit to control the operation of the device 15 or other tool associated with the unit.

Suitable motors within the housing 22 may be provided for driving the hydraulic pump, such pump driving motors may be driven by air or by electrical power delivered from any suitable outside source through suitable cables, conduits or pipes enclosed within the mast. Referring'particularly to FIG. 3, it is seen that the tubular mast may include a plurality of cables, conduits or pipes 27 which may be connected at their lower ends to flexible lines 28, FIG. 2, that, in turn, connect with the power mechanism within the housing 22. At their upper ends the cables, conduits or pipes 27 may be connected with flexible lines device 15 may be delivered through cables, conduits or lines enclosed and protected within the tubular mast thereby preventing the damaging of such lines which otherwise would hang free within the shaft. The cables, conduits or lines within the mast are thus effectively armor sheathed. A large internal pipe 30, FIG. 3, moreover,

may be arranged within the mast 13 to act as a receiver or reservoir for hydraulic fluid or air depending upon the desires of the user. Therefore, power is delivered to the shaft working tools through the mast structure which also supports the shaft working tools within the shaft. The mast as an armor sheathing for the air, electric or hydraulic pipes and lines further acts as a cooler especially for the hot compressed air or hydraulic fluids thereby increasing the efliciency of their use.

A mounting bracket 31 is carried on the powering mechanism unit 22 for the purpose as illustrated to mount the excavating device 15 on the unit. A sleeve 21a shouldered at 21b is received on the bottom of the mast to hold the excavating mechanism and powering mechanisms unit elevated above the bottom of the mast, although pins or other means may be employed to accomplish this purpose. Preferably, an excavating mechanism that is capable of compressing to a minimum horizontal cross section may be mounted on the powering mechanisms unit. For example, an excavating mechanism having a folding boom, such as the conventional back-hoe illustrated in the drawings may be employed to give positive vertical and horizontal pin-point loading and unloading in the exact position desired. Some of the various positions that a conventional back-hoe may take are shown in FIG. 1 in dotted lines.

Although the anchoring devices 14 serve to effectively secure the mast to a side wall of the shaft, further means is provided to counteract swing torques generated by the excavating device 15 through use of power operated legs 32, FIG. 2. Generally one leg 32 will be mounted on each side of the powering mechanism unit 22 and pivotally connected thereto at one end as indicated at 33 while the other end may be applied directly against the shaft side wall 12. Although this leg may be manually operated, it is preferably power operated by a hydraulic cylinder 34 which is operatively connected to the hydraulic pump system within the unit 22 by flexible lines 35. The piston 36 of the cylinder 34 is pivotally connected at its outer free end at 37 to an intermediate point of the leg 32. The same control levers 26 may be used to operate the power legs 32. Thus, the power legs obtain torque bearing footings against the wall to counteract the swing torque of the excavating device.

I Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the anchoring devices 14 generally include a collar 38 slidably receiving the mast 13, wall mounted plates 39 secured to the adjacent side wall of the shaft and having horizontally swinging bearing members 40, and rods or pins 41 connecting the plate 39 to the collar 38.

Each collar 38 is split and includes an inner substantially semi-circle section 42 and an outer substantially semi-circular section 43 pivoted at one end to the inner section 42 at 44. The inner section 42 is provided with radially spaced apertured ears 45 to which the outer apertured end 46 of the rods 41 may be detachably secured by means of removable pins 47. One of the pins 47 may be cylindrical to pivotally connect its associated rod 41 with the collar section 42. The other pin 47 should be of square sectional configuration or otherwise formed to secure its associated rod 41 against turning movement With respect to the collar section 42. The collar sections 42 and '43 may be locked together when embracing the mast by means of a conventional toggle linkage arrangement 48 which is pivoted at one end to the free end of the inner section 42 and latched at the other end to the outer section 43 thereby permitting easy opening and closing of the collar to quickly remove the mast from the collar when desired and ultimate removal of the mast and shaft working tool from the shaft.

The rods 41 are threaded externally except for the apertured end 46 and threadedly received in threaded holes of the bearing members 40 which are hingedly mounted on the plate 39 by means of hinges 49. These hinges may be of the type which includes a removable pin 50 permitting easy disassembling of the bearing members 40 from the plate. As noted in FIG. 6, the mounting plate 39 is substantially rectangular in shape and the hinges 49 are in spaced relationship and at opposite ends of the plate. While the collars 38 arranged in spaced relationship along the mast 13 maintain complete horizontal retention of the mast, they effect a slip fit with the mast to permit automatic de-elevating of the mast and excavating device to optimum digging level in the constantly receding muck pile at the bottom of the shaft. Further, 'the collars are fully adjustable relative to the mounting plates 39 by virtue of the threaded connecting rods 41, wherein removal of the pins 47 and rotation of the rods 41 adjust the spacing between the apertured ends 46 and the mounting plate 39 and ultimately the spacing of the collars 38 from the plates 39. Therefore, a complete relative adjustment between the side wall of the shaft and the mast can be obtained in order to assure obtaining substantially vertical or upright positioning of the mast notwithstanding surface irregularities on the side of the shaft.

Since each collar 38 has a two point connection with each mounting plate 39, and it is desirable to position the mast 13 substantially along the vertical, it is necessary to mount the plates 30 in a substantially horizontal position onthe side wall of the shaft. Mounting of the plates 39 on the side wall of a shaft is accomplished by first drilling a pair of holes 51 in the side wall to receive a standard type of rock-bolt 52 having an inner threaded end 53 and an outer headed end 54. An expandable nut 55 is received on the inner threaded end which expands upon rotation of the bolt and anchors itself within the hole 51 of the side wall.

The bolt holes in the side wall of the shaft may be located anywhere within a zone of substantial area taking into consideration the spacing between the holes and the.

relative horizontal positioning of theholes. This is accomplished by forming parallel opposed horizontal slots 56 and 57 and a vertical slot 58 in the plate as seen in FIG. 6, wherein the vertical slot 58 extends normal to the slots 56 and 57 and has its extreme ends in spaced relation to adjacent ends of the slots 56 and 57. Further, it may be noted that the extreme ends of the slot 58 terminate at the outer remote sides of the slots 56 and 57. This arrangement permits a wide range of relative positioning between the pair of bolts 52 as illustrated somewhat in FIG. 6. For example, when the bolts are by necessity positioned due to the drilling of the holes in the side walls in the positions indicated by the bolts 52a, these bolts 'are spaced apart a distance 59 along an inclined line, a distance 60 along the horizontal, and a distance 61 along the vertical. Although the bolts 52a, 52a are not at the same level, the plate 39 may be horizontally positioned as shown. Another example shows the bolt in dotted positions as designated by the numerals 52b, 52b, wherein the bolts are horizontally spaced by a distance 62 and arranged along a common horizontal plane. Thus, these two situations and other situations between these positions can be accommodated by the plate 39 in order to position the plate 39 in a horizontal plane. The upper slot 56 would be employed when the dicated by the numeral 52b. It will be appreciated that this mounting plate may be useful in positioning and securing other structures, such as scaffolding, third rails, mono rails, and the like, to a substantially vertical wall.

While the invention has been described more particularly as applied in excavating muck from shafts, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to shaft sinking equipment but may be applied in apparatus for working or moving loose material regardless of itslocation. Mast mounted material moving apparatus of the sort herein disclosed may be applied for cargo moving operation in ships holds, grain elevators, storage warehouses and wherever loose material needs to be handled.

It is thought that the invention and its numerous attendant advantages will be fully understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein disclosed being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. Material moving apparatus comprising a mast, spacedcollars for supporting the mast in operative position for axial movement in the collars with its lower end resting in floating fashion upon a pile of material to be moved, a material working tool mounted on the mast adjacent its lower end, and power supply means extending through said mast for operating said tool.

2. Material moving apparatus comprising a mast, a plurality of collars receiving the mast, intermediate its ends, to supportthe same for axial movement in the collars, With its lower end resting in floating fashion upon a pile of material to be moved, means for supporting the collars in spaced relation, a material working tool mounted on the mast adjacent its lower end, and power supply means extending through said mast for the delivery of operating power to said tool.

3. Material moving apparatus comprising a mast, means for suspending the mast upon a hoist to facilitate placement of the mast in a selected operating situs within the range of the hoist, spaced supports releasably engaging the mast for carrying the same in position for movement on the supports, axially of the mast, said mast at its lower end being formed to fioatingly rest upon a pile of material to be moved, amaterial working tool mounted on said mast adjacent its lower end, power supplymeans extending in said mast and adapted for connection with an external power supply source, and tool end being formed to fioatingly rest upon. a pile of material'- to be moved, a material working tool mounted on said mast adjacent its lower end, a power operated motor for actuating said tool, a power transmission line extending through and enclosed within said mast, means for connecting said line with an external power source, and means connecting said line with said motor.

5. Material moving apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said tool is hydraulically actuated, and wherein a fluid pressure pump forming a source of tool actuating power is supported on the mast and drivingly connected with the tool.

6. Material moving apparatus as set forth in claim 4,

wherein said tool is hydraulically actuated by fluid delivered under pressure through supply conduits enclosed within the mast and adapted for connection with an externally located source of fluid under pressure.

7. Material moving apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said tool is hydraulically actuated, and wherein a fluid pressure pump forming a source of tool actuating power is supported on the mast and drivingly connected with the tool, including a pneumatic motor mounted on the mast and drivingly connected with said pump, said transmission line comprising air supply conduits connected with said pneumatic motor and extending through the mast.

8. Material moving apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said tool is hydraulically actuated, and wherein a fluid pressure pump forming a source of tool actuating power is supported on the mast and drivingly connected with the tool, including an electric motor mounted on the mast and drivingly connected with said pump, said transmission line comprising power supply conductors connected with said electric motor and extending through the mast.

9. A mucking machine for inking a shaft comprising a vertically arranged tubular mast, support means for embracingly receiving the mast for detachably securing it to a side wall of the shaft for slidable movement relative thereto whereby the lower .end of the mast rests on the bottom of the shaft, Ian excavating device mounted on the lower end of the mast, and powering mechanism mounted on the mast for operating said device.

10. A mucking machine for sinking a shaft comprising a vertically arranged tubular mast, support means for embracingly receiving the mast for detachably securing it to a side wall of the shaft for slidable movement relative thereto whereby the lower end of the mast rests on the bottom of the shaft, a folding power boom mounted on the lower end of said mast, an excavating device mounted on said boom, and powering mechanism on the mast for operating said device.

11. A mucking machine for sinking a shaft comprising a vertically arranged tubular mast, support means for embracingly receiving the mast for detachably securing it to a side wall of the shaft for slidable movement relative thereto whereby the lower end of the mast rests on the bottom of the shaft, a folding power boom mounted on the lower end of said mast, an excavating device mounted on said boom, powering mechanism carried on the lower end of said mast adjacent to said boom and mechanically connected thereto for operating same, and means extending through said tubular mast for driving said powering mechanism.

12. A mucking machine for sinking a shaft comprising a vertically arranged tubular mast along one side wall of the shaft, a plurality of collars slidably received on said mast and spaced therealong, means for securing the collar-s to the side wall of the shaft, the lower end of said mast adapted to rest on the bottom of the shaft, the upper end of the mast adapted to be attached to a hoisting mechanism or the like, an excavating device mounted on the lower end of the mast, and powering mechanism mounted on the mast for operating said device.

13. A mucking machine for sinking a shaft comprising a vertically arranged tubular mast along one side wall of the shaft, a plurality of collars slidably received on said mast and spaced therealong, means for securing the collars to the side wallof the shaft, the lower end of said mast adapted to rest on the bottom of the shaft, the upper end of the mast adapted to be attached to a hoisting mechanism or the like, a folding power boom mounted on the lower end of said mast, an excavating device mounted on said boom, powering mechanism carried on the lower end of said mast adjacent to said boom and mechanically connected thereto for operating same, and means extending through said tubular mast for driving said powering mechanism.

14. In an apparatus for sinking a shaft, an elongated vertically arranged tubular mast adapted to be arranged within a shaft, the lower end of said mast adapted to rest on the bottom of the shaft, the upper end of the mast adapted to be attached to a hoisting mechanism or the like, a plurality of collars slidably receiving said mast, shaft wall anchoring means for anchoring the collars to a wall of the shaft, tool powering mechanisms mounted on said shaft above the lower end thereof, means for driving said mechanisms extending through said mast, a shaft working tool mounted on said mast adjacent the lower end thereof and connected to said tool powering mechanisms, and torque bearing members carried on said mast at the shaft working tool for engaging the immediately adjacent shaft side wall to counteract swing torque developed in operating the tool.

15. In an apparatus for sinking a shaft, an elongated vertically arranged tubular mast adapted to be arranged in said shaft and closely adjacent one side wall thereof, the lower end of said mast adapted to rest on the bottom of the shaft, the upper end of the mast adapted to be attached to a hoisting mechanism or the like, a plurality of collars spaced along said mast and slidably receiving said mast, shaft wall anchoring means adjustably secured to said collars at one end and anchored in the adjacent side wall at the other end, each shaft wall anchoring means including a plate secured to the wall and having arms swingable thereon, bolts threadedly received in said arms and pivotally connected to said collars, tool powering mechanisms mounted on said shaft above the lower end thereof, means for driving said mechanisms extending through said mast, and a shaft working tool carried on said mast adjacent the lower end thereof and connected to said tool powering mechanisms to be operated thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 497,196 MeGregor May 9, 1893 1,029,390 Milewiski June 11, 1912 2,710,700 Anderson June 14, 1955 2,771,201 Slater Nov. 20, 1956 2,772,795 Cramer Dec. 4, 1956 2,781,926 Sights Feb. 19, 1957 2,785,813 Tofilernire Mar. 19, 1957 2,801,013 Pilch July 30, 1957 2,813,645 Pilch Nov. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 691,070 Germany May 16, 1940 

